General Activities Therapist 1 - Units

What You’ll Do At DBH

• Plans, organizes, conducts & ensures implementation of Activity Therapy programs/services that meet the patients’ interest level and has value in any of the following life domains: physical, mental, emotional, social, and/or spiritual. Ensures programming is therapeutic & goal reaching.
• Assesses when it is time to change an activity based on attendance numbers and patient feedback.
• May or (may not) complete activity assessments.
• Escorts patients off grounds for community outings.
• Documents patients’ response to treatment plan goals in the electronic record.
• Observes and monitors activities of patients during leisure and program time.
• Escorts patients to & from activities; maintains patient attendance for general activities and/or leisure times; tracks Level II’s while in the treatment mall and makes observations to complete treatment mall safety rounds.
• Meets with patients to assist patients in completing satisfaction surveys if needed. Assists with oversight when volunteers offer programs that can include but is not limited to bingo and religious services/programs.
• Communicates and/or attends meetings with Treatment Teams for cohesive patient care.
• Primary work area is On-Unit with some work in the Treatment Mall.
  
  

This is an hourly position covered by the OCSEA/AFSCME bargaining unit (union), with a pay range of #26 on the OCSEA Pay Range Schedule. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 10:30a-7:00p, every other weekend. This position is located within our Heartland Behavioral Healthcare campus at 3000 Erie Street South, Massillon, OH 44646.

Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the selected candidate will begin at Step 1 of the pay range schedule listed above, with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.

Position Qualifications

Completion of associate degree in recreation; 6 mos. exp. in activity therapy or recreation.

• Or completion of undergraduate core program in recreational area (e.g., physical education).
• Or 24 mos. exp. as Activities Aide, 44210.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
• Applications of those who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated against the following criteria:
  
  

All eligible applications shall be reviewed considering the following criteria: qualifications, experience, education, and active disciplinary record.

Primary Job Skill: Activity Therapy

Technical Skills: Behavioral Health, Mental Health

Professional Skills: Adaptability, Coaching, Developing Others, Goal Setting, Time Management, Teamwork

Required Educational Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution’s website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.

Organization

Behavioral Health - Heartland Behavioral Healthcare

Agency Contact Name and Information

Megan Trump, megan.trump@dbh.ohio.gov

Unposting Date

May 6, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Stark County-Massillon

Compensation

$21.19

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours

10:30a - 7:00p, every other weekend

Classified Indicator

Classified

Primary Job Skill

Human Resources

Professional Skills

Adaptability, Coaching, Developing Others, Goal Setting, Teamwork, Time Management

Agency Overview

Unit-based GAT1

General Activities Therapist 1

Who We Are

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.

We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio's prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, OH.

DBH Values

• Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused)
• Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)
• Value Driven
• Innovative (Yes Before No)
• Strong Sense of Urgency
  
  

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees, including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our workplace culture promotes wellness, second-chance hiring, and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect, both in the community and within our own team.